October 6, 2005
stellastarr* at 9:30
Scene: 1980-something, a white-faced, stringy-haired teenager sulks in his bedroom listening to "Boys Don't Cry" and says to himself, "I can do this!" Flash forward to 2005 and, mission accomplished. Enter stellastarr*, gracing the 9:30 Club's stage last night.
It's not that stellastarr* (yes, the asterisk is part of their name) put on a bad show. They were energetic, deft with their instruments, engaging, and had organized a hell of a light show. It's not even that their music wasn't listenable. But there was indeed something about their show that stopped us from enjoying it from their opening notes. Every single sound we heard -- every riff, every chorus, every drum lick -- was a direct quotation of The Cure. Not "inspired by" or a "modern take on," but completely and totally derivative. We actually made a game of figuring out which Cure song each Stellastarr* song was originally, and singing the Cure lyrics instead. We think their version of "Pictures of You" was our favorite, although, that's our favorite Cure song too.
Now, let us say this. It appeared last night that we were, in fact, the only people in the 9:30 Club who felt that way. The packed crowd was completely engrossed by stellastarr*. Throngs of fans, ranging from twenty something hipsters to moody teenagers with black zip-up hoodies, were singing, dancing, and not breaking their gaze from the band for a moment. They knew all the words. They pulsed with shirtless drummer Arthur Kremmer. They swayed to guitarist Michael Jurin. They gazed lovingly at female bassist Amanda Tannen. And they hung on lead singer Shawn Christensen's every moan. What was going on here? Could they not hear the clear lack of originality? Were they either really in on or really out of the joke being played on us all?
Then it hit us: we weren't enjoying the show much because, well, we're not that wild about The Cure.
*We're taking advantage of the band's self-punctuation to briefly mention their opening act, Giant Drag. DCist didn't get there in time to catch what we hear was a great set from Cedars (formerly Cartel), but we were there to see what was quite possibly the oddest performance we've ever taken in. And we've seen acid jazz performed by men in gorilla suits. Giant Drag consists of two people -- an apparently mute drummer and a lead singer who, in between songs (which were actually pretty freakin' good) would treat the audience to bizarre anecdotes in her teeny tiny Jennifer Tilly voice, ranging from her painful "subcutaneous emphysema" and impending trip to the hospital, to the tale of her first boyfriend stealing the first song she ever wrote (at age 8) and claiming it as his very own after she taught it to him on the beach. They then began to play "Wicked Game," and that particular anecdote proved to be a really funny joke. But the gurgling noises and seemingly incoherent blurbs she peppered the rest of the performance with sent the onlookers into jaw-dropped fits of giggles. This also marked the first time we've ever seen a singer clean up her equipment and leave, carrying her back pack, suitcase and purse with her, which had all been on the stage during the performance. After that unprecedented display, we were expecting something much more exciting from stellastarr*. Unfortunately, we left disappointed.
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First of all it is totally true and incredibly obvious that Stellastarr* is derivative. But there is still an opportunity to be entertained by derivative bands -- which probably make up 80% of most music nowadays anyway. Unless you are talking true originals, music by definition is derivative. So, what's your point with that? You would have to say that about most of the national acts that come to DC. In fact I expect you to point that out about the upcoming "Black Keys" show but hope you say they are a derivative of Led Zeppelin rather than the White Stripes (just another derivative). But "Black Keys" still rock so I am definitely going.
Second of all, the fact that you thought Giant Drag were "freakin' good" is disturbing. So, you can recognize well played songs as derivative but poor songsmanship and a complete inability to play instruments ... not so much. Interesting.
First, I completely agree with Samantha. See you at the Black Keys! The funniest part is that Stellstarr* have their own derivatives - Interpol anyone?? Who by the way are a great band.
*sigh* Why do music reviewers think it makes them cool to deride bands as "derivative"? Sure, Stellastarr* shows some of their influences -- in fact, they're quite open about them (see "Pulp Song"). But they have a lot more influences than The Cure (in fact, I'd rank The Cure fairly low in the list of influences I've heard in there), and they've done a good job of taking all of those influences and combining them into their own sound. Everyone has influences, and everyone is derivative of someone else -- it's all a matter of how those influences are used.
Personally, I thought Stellastarr* were awesome. Good music, played well, with lots of energy. The only thing I didn't like about the show were those floor-level lights that kept rotating to shine directly in my eyes.
And Giant Drag? From where I was standing (directly in front of her), that girl looked so stoned that she could barely stand. Lame. I did kind of dig the Tonya Donnelly-meets-Victoria Williams thing she had going on in her voice, though.
I must be in the minority, but I thought Giant Drag was the best band on the bill last night. Their drummer was playing the keyboards and drums at the same time! It was alot of fun to watch. Who cares how stoned Annie looked? They played a great set.
Giant Drag's "You F%ck Like My Dad" is a GREAT song.
I'm going to agree with Kyle on this one. Giant Drag: little girl, little band, BIG sound. Best, most interesting act of the night.
First and foremost, please note that the band's name is "stellastarr*," with a lower-case "s." Regardless of whether or not you like them or disapprove of the arbitrary use of lower-case letters, the fact remains that the name of the band is chosen by the band, and proper grammar requires us to call them by their chosen name.
Second, I, too, am of the school of thought that simply because a band's sound is derivative does not mean it that the music is bad or somehow less worthy of praise. I do think it should be noted, however, as I think that it is useful to point out influences insofar as it helps younger fans find out about the roots of the bands that they like.
Finally, the show was outstanding. I've seen other 80s-inspired acts at the 9:30 Club (Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, the Killers), and this show was just as good as any of them. If you like the new wave of 80s-inspired acts (and, if you do, go check out VHS or Beta IMMEDIATELY), then you likely thought that the show last night was a blast. Totally worth my $15.
Come on, people. We all know that the most interesting act of the night was that crazy dude in the back who was doing jumping jacks during stella star* and whistling and clapping for an extra thirty seconds after each song. Awesome.
Jeff: That we can agree on. That guy was amazing.
I certainly like plenty of bands that take heavily after their predecessors. I'm not saying that I expect complete ingenuity from everything I listen to. All I'm saying is that the level of "influence" displayed by stellastarr* was far more heavy-handed than I'm accustomed to; so much so in fact that I couldn't hear past it, or find any sort of personalized elements that they brought to the table. But that's just my opinion.
As for the punctuation, thanks for pointing that out, it'll be changed right away.
did they play my coco? becuase that's their only decent song. a song almost too good for them, seemingly discovered accidentally quite like the development of post-it notes.
It's not like stellastar* had on red lipstick and a hockey jersey a la Robert Smith. I mean if you want to talk derivatives, let's look at Giant Drag! I mean if that chick wasn't ripping off Kurt Cobain, I'm a monkey's uncle. She even stole his oversized gramma sweater and drug-induced on-stage babbling. And if I had a nickel for every time Kurt brought his wallet on-stage with him for a performance, I'd buy an Ipod Nano. Let's face it though: Micah, the drummer/bassist is no Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic hybrid. He'd have to be like 6 foot 5 with crazy facial hair and a penchant for Seattle politics and they probably would be playing the Black Cat, not the 9:30.
First and foremost, please note that the band's name is "stellastarr*," with a lower-case "s." Regardless of whether or not you like them or disapprove of the arbitrary use of lower-case letters, the fact remains that the name of the band is chosen by the band, and proper grammar requires us to call them by their chosen name.
Oh please. Do they get to specify the font, too?
STELLASTARR* STELLASTARR* STELLASTARR*
looks just as bad in all caps as it does in lower case.
stellastarr* = worst art school drop out band ever.
its funny, stellastarr* is kind of like good charlotte, You either love them or hate them...
*and I hate them both.
that's a bummer you weren't feeling the stellastarr* show. I just saw them last night, and it basically changed my life. So i guess you were out of that joke and i was in it.
Yes they sound like the cure, almost exactly like the cure, but this generation needs a cure. That's what music is all about. And have you ever really enjoyed a show without knowing the band's songs before you get there (which is sounds like u didn't)?
So maybe get into this band, give them some listens (especially their first album), and then see them live....so you don't have to make comparisons to one of the best bands ever just so you can write a downer of review (that made you sound old and out of the loop).
Obviously, these songs are special to the band members, and to their fans....and i don't think they are rip-offs of someone else's expression. They are actually one of the most promising bands I've ever heard and last night made that official. I hope you can give them another chance someday.
I'm sorry but this review got me so bummed I had to write. I know its not for anyone, but you seem like a very well informed music person, and stellstarr* is undeniably good.
To the first few commenters: It's not as if DCist is the place to go for good, thorough music coverage in this area. There are much better, more music-focused web sites out there.
Such as?
pitchforkmedia.
but locally, any suggestions?
Pitchfork is certainly not the most credible music site, though it is a good compendium. As far as websites devoted to DC music, here are a few.
MetroMusicScene.com (formerly Arlington Music Scene): http://www.metromusicscene.blogspot.com/
Here's a Hint: http://www.heresahint.org/portal/
Big Yawn: http://www.bigyawn.net/
I hope that helps. And that my interpretation of the stellastarr* show hasn't colored your perspective of the dedicated staff of writers -- music and otherwise -- here at DCist.
derivitave or not, stellastarr* totally sucks. no way is that homeboy's real singing voice. how contrived can you be? and the girl's singing is bad and doesn't even blend with the guy's.
i thought giant drag were totally great and entertaining and original, just because she wore a big sweater she's kurt cobain? and who the fuck even knows about kurt cobain bringing his wallet on stage? i've never once heard of that, who cares anyway? what else are you supposed to do with your stuff? i was standing up front too(she had a harley davidson backpack she kept her pedals in, what suitcase?) and i talked to her at the merch booth and she was really nice (and super freaked out cuz some doctor dude told her she has emphysema or whatever and had to go to the hospital after the show) and she didn't seemed stoned. i know people in LA that know her and they said she doesn't smoke pot or even drink. she is no jimi hendrix but she is better than lots of chick musicians i've seen.
You can't be 30878 serious?!?